I learned to embroider when I was a kid, when everyone was really into cross stitch (remember the '80s?). Eventually, I migrated to surface embroidery, teaching myself with whatever I could get my hands on...read more

I learned to embroider when I was a kid, when everyone was really into cross stitch (remember the '80s?). Eventually, I migrated to surface embroidery, teaching myself with whatever I could get my hands on...read more

Finishing Little Things

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Little Things … I’ve been working on Little Things for about 9 months!

What are Little Things? Well, they’re little embroidered things – in fact, they are part of a project book titled Lavender Honey & Other Little Things: A Little Primer on Embroidering & Finishing that will be available here on Needle ‘n Thread in the near future.

I conceived the idea for this collection of Little Things last summer, and it’s finally nearing its completion. (About time, eh?)

The little projects drummed up for the book are perfect for:

1. Using up scraps of fabric too small for regular embroidery projects
2. Using up leftover threads or thread stash
3. Learning many surface embroidery stitches in the context little designs
4. Learning how to finish things – how to make needlebooks, pin keeps, fobs, ornaments, etc.
5. Making something adorable – perfect for gift-giving or personal use – in less than a weekend
6. Guild group projects & stitch get-togethers

Of course, the step-by-step instructions that you’re used to from Needle ‘n Thread dominate the book. But the book also leaves you a lot of leeway for interpretation and personalization, and it gives you the foundations to go farther and conceive your own projects and finish them, based on the principles learned. (I think every good instructional book should do that!)

They’re fun, they’re colorful, they’re simple enough to complete in a very short period of time, they’re economical (you use what you have – unless you really want to buy supplies – I list all the supplies I used along with where to find them), and they’re instructive.

So that’s one big project full of little projects that’s been brewing behind the scenes here for quite a while. Just now, the very last piece is being finished and photographed over the next couple days. Whew! Can’t wait to see that last piece falling into place!

(26) Comments

Yay! Can’t wait for the arrival of the book. These little things will be perfect to take along on trips, weekend visits to family or friends, or as an alternative to “big embroidery things” when we need to just have some fun. Such a great idea, Mary!

That will be great. I tend to make a lot of smaller projects as gifts and plus the fact that my attention span seems to get shorter as I get older. I admire the huge beautiful works of art in needlework but just don’t scrounge up the energy to tackle them. This will be ideal.

I agree ‘Yey to that! Can’t wait for the publication of ‘Little Things’ certainly will purchase when it becomes available. I love the bees, sheep and hedgehog and can’t wait to make small gifts out of them and I like the idea of using up existing supplies rather then having to buy supplies which saves money, brilliant idea.

Mry, YAY!!!!this sounds like something Just Perfect to have when we don’t feel like tackling a big project. Love using up small bits of thread and I LOVE small projects.
This is so exciting……
Can’t wait to purchase it.

Like the others, I can hardly wait. Will you be taking pre-orders? Put me down for one. I love the bees and sheep. I want to do things for friends that are quick and easy so I have high hopes this will be chock full of ideas to fulfill that wish. As always, thank you for sharing your talents.

Hi Mary,
These look like that perfect little something to give someone just because you happen to think about them that day. Having two sisters that go to Guild meetings these look like the perfect little useful gifts to give.The ladies at the Guild meetings always “oh and ah” over these.
ji

Ooohhh I can’t wait. I’ve seen others in our embroidery group making books about Celtic Embroidery, 15th Century Embroidery etc. I have been waiting to do my own thing – and now there is a chance I might have it done in a year or so. Okay, just kidding. At least I can start. thanks so much for your wonderful work. Have a great one.

G’day Mary,
I fell in love with your little things from the first peep. Like buttons, little things keep little and big things together, including needleworkers. From little things, bigger things are satisfied and very often grow.
Cheers, Kath.